UW-Stevens Point studying how virtual reality may be able to help injured athletes

 

STEVENS POINT, Wis. (CBS 58) -- The University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point is the first university in the country to have a virtual reality system and they're using it to try and reduce injury to college athletes and improve their cognitive abilities. 

The system is called Sense Arena. 

Fifteen student-athletes on the school's men's and women's hockey team will be training using the system with masters and graduate students. 

The goal is to train the brain and the body and safety. 

"We have aspirations of looking at injury prevention. How can we use VR in rehabilitation? Bringing an athlete back in a safe and controlled manner vs. putting them on the ice in an uncontrolled environment," said Holly Schmise, Athletic Training Program Director at UW-Stevens Point. 

The first study will last until December and then they will see if the system does improve performance and reduce injuries iin players. 

If it works, they want to expand the program for others.